Gotye ft. Kimbra - Somebody That I Used to Know (Learn English with Songs)

Lyrics

[Gotye:]
Now and then I think of when we were together
Like when you said you felt so happy you could die
Told myself that you were right for me
But felt so lonely in your company
But that was love and it's an ache I still remember

You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness
Like resignation to the end, always the end
So when we found that we could not make sense
Well you said that we would still be friends
But I'll admit that I was glad that it was over

But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough
No you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

[Kimbra:]
Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over
But had me believing it was always something that I'd done
But I don't wanna live that way
Reading into every word you say
You said that you could let it go
And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know

[Gotye:]
But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough
No you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

Somebody
(I used to know)
Somebody
(Now you're just somebody that I used to know)

Somebody
(I used to know)
Somebody
(Now you're just somebody that I used to know)

(I used to know)
(That I used to know)
(I used to know)
Somebody

Difficult Phrases and Words

1. rough

   1. Context: But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough

   2. Definition: bad, difficult

   3. Additional sentence: Being sick for two weeks must be very rough.

2. stoop so low

   1. Context: No you didn't have to stoop so low

   2. Definition: To lower one's ethical standards (or perceived standards) by behaving in a malignant, self-centered, or despicable manner.

   3. Additional sentence: The employee said that the company didn’t have to stoop so low as to not give health insurance to its employees.

3. screwed me over

   1. Context: Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over

   2. Definition: Cheated or swindled; unfairly deprived or taken advantage of.

   3. Additional sentence: My ex-husband screwed me over by using our bank account to go on dates with other women.

4. let it go

   1. Context: You said that you could let it go / And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know

   2. Definition: To stop pursuing a particular desire or attempting to maintain a particular situation and accept things as they are.

   3. Additional sentence: I know that you want to get excellent scores on your tests, but you have to let go of the idea that you always have to be perfect.

5. hung up

   1. Context: You said that you could let it go / And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know

   2. Definition: obsessed with someone or something; devoted to someone or something (in a negative way).

   3. Additional sentence: John is so hung up on Mary that he cannot concentrate on his studies.

Discussion Questions

1. What do you think this song is about?

2. Can you relate to anything in this song? Did you ever get into a disagreement with a loved one or boyfriend/girlfriend? What were the differences of opinion?

3. The singer is facing a rough time. When was a rough time for you?

4. The singer tells his ex-girlfriend “you didn't have to stoop so low.” To whom would you say this phrase? Is there anyone or organization who you think is stooping very low for selfish interest?

5. Was there a time when you were screwed over?

6. Do you have a hard time letting things go? What pressures and stressors do/did you need to let go?

7. Were you ever hung up on someone? Were you ever hung up on a certain activity or hobby?